I’d witnessed one eclipse in my life and it reminded me of that. Like someone had taken a dial and turned the sun’s intensity down by several degrees.
The air got cooler. The light dimmed.
Shadows spilled from the base of the tree and the forest behind. The howls from Brax’s pack got closer as they honed in on their alpha.
Ahrun dropped from his tree branch to land next to Arlan. “Well done, dearest.”
Across the meadow, Vitus hissed at the sight of the ancient, dropping into a defensive crouch.
“Don’t be so hasty. My boys will be here to deal with you soon,” Ahrun drawled, dismissing the councilor with a flick of his eyes.
I paid no attention to their exchange, focusing on the shadows at the base of the tree where something massive was moving through it.
“He’s coming,” I whispered.
Finally.
A behemoth swam through the abyss. Its slow rise condensing into that of a hound. Alches stepped through the door I’d made. A powerful bark resounded through the meadow like a clap of thunder.
The fighting slowed at the realization that the meadow was no longer cut off from the outside world. Reinforcements were coming.
Muiredach threw magic at Inara, sending her spinning before facing the shadow hound standing before him. He was too late. Alches threw himself forward to make room for the others.
Baran plunged through first. An autumn colored reaper that cut a bloody path toward his brother’s prison.
Then Callie.
Don.
Owen.
Astrid.
All of my father’s siblings.
They stalked through the portal like they were about to lay siege to the realm. Astrid’s laughter had a bell-like quality as she darted toward a pair of Lucies. Owen barreled past her, carrying a giant axe that he used to decapitate the closest Red Cap. His war cry of victory shook the meadow soon after.
Don tipped an imaginary hat at me. Inky shadows unfurled from his head like tentacles. They snapped toward the nearestenemy, crushing their torso before whipping them through the air. “Our king sends his regards. Regretfully, he could not join us on this foray as he is the pillar upon which our realm rests but he thanks you for this opportunity for a little revenge.”
Before I could gather words for a response, Don was already moving away to join the battle. A dark knight that obliterated his foes as easily as he might a fly.
The last to step through was my biological father. He dipped his head in a respectful nod. “Well done, daughter.”
“You put me in a dungeon,” I said in response.
His lips curved in amusement. “You escaped.”
No thanks to him.
Muiredach stared at Brin like he’d seen a ghost. “I banned you from this place.”
“And my daughter broke that ban when she created this doorway,” Brin responded.
Denial flooded Muiredach’s expression as his gaze shifted to me. “No—you have no offspring. I would have known.”
“Ah—your spies.” Brin glanced at Arlan. “Sorry, most of them have been mine for quite a long time now.”
Muiredach’s chest heaved from the force of his anger as he glared daggers at my sperm donor.
